Barau Jibrin, the deputy senate president, on Wednesday, broke his silence on growing calls for him to serve as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate in the 2027 general elections, saying he remains fully committed to the President and will align with whatever decision Tinubu makes.
Speaking during a press conference in Abuja ahead of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review’s zonal public hearings, Barau described the speculations as premature and insisted that his loyalty to the President is unwavering.
“At this moment, I don’t think it’s necessary to dwell on such issues,” he said.
“President Tinubu has been working tirelessly to reset the country’s direction and steer it towards greater prosperity.
“He inherited a number of challenges, and we are all behind him in trying to turn things around.”
Barau emphasized the need to focus on governance over politics, adding that the current priority should be supporting Tinubu’s administration in delivering on its mandate.
He continued, “The groups making those calls, I appreciate their support, but I’ve told them this isn’t the time. Rather than focusing on politics now, they should redirect that energy to backing the President’s efforts.
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“When the time for politics arrives, we will cross that bridge. But now, it’s about governance and service to Nigerians.”
Barau, who referred to Tinubu as his “political father,” praised the President’s personal and political support over the years, particularly during his bid for a Senate seat and his emergence as Deputy Senate President.
“The President has been kind to me and my people,” he noted.
“When we had issues in Kano, he stepped in. He ensured I got the Senate ticket and supported me to become Deputy Senate President. So, if he asks me to serve in any capacity come 2027, I will honor that 100%. My loyalty to him is complete.”
He described their political alignment as rooted in shared ideological values.
“We belong to the same progressive family,” Barau said. “I have always been a progressive, and one of our guiding principles is loyalty. I am fully committed to him.”
On the upcoming constitutional review, Barau said the committee has received 59 bills and 31 proposals, with additional input expected from Nigerians during the regional public hearings scheduled to be held across the six geopolitical zones.
For the South-South zone, the hearing will be held in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, under the chairmanship of the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, or his representative.
The North-West zone will hold its session in Kano, chaired by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin.
In the South-West, the hearing is set for Lagos and will be overseen by the Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele.
For the North-Central zone, the session will take place in Jos, under the chairmanship of the Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Lola Ashiru.
Maiduguri will host the hearing for the North-East zone, chaired by the Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, while the South-East hearing will be held in Enugu, with the Deputy Chief Whip, Senator Peter Nwebonyi, presiding.
